Romaldkirk reading rooms in the pink after sisters donate blue velvet curtains

BLUE velvet curtains have helped complement a stained glass window in memory of an inspirational teacher.
Romaldkirk Reading Rooms unveiled the new curtains after they were donated by Mickleton sisters Angela and Olwen Williams.
Their sibling, Paula, lost her battle with long term illness in 2011 and spoke fondly of the 19th century hall.
Ms Williams said: “We’ve been going to the Romaldkirk coffee mornings and they have a beautiful big window.
“All the other windows have lovely curtains but this one didn’t.”
A trip to Blaydon sourced the furnishings before the Reading Rooms committee voted to accept the donation.
Paula Williams was headteacher of Whitburn Comprehensive School, in Sunderland, steering it out of special measures to an outstanding status.
“She turned it right around,” added Ms Williams.
“She was a joyful and generous woman – she encouraged me to go into art and supported me all the way through.”
Elder sister, Angela, helped organise the donation and paid tribute to the hall committee.
She said: “They have been massively supportive – hopefully everyone likes them.
“We didn’t want a plaque or anything but we’ve asked for it to be minuted at the next committee meeting.
“Paula loved Romaldkirk – she wanted to look inside the reading rooms but never got the opportunity. They will always be Paula’s curtains to us.”
Barbara Marshall, from the Reading Rooms committee, added: “We liked the idea of having curtains on that window.
“They do look nice – it enhances the window.”